The Government has announced that the entitlement to paid statutory sick leave will remain at 5 calendar days per year. Employers will welcome confirmation from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that the entitlement will not be increasing to 7 days paid leave from 2025, as had been envisaged when the Sick Leave Act 2022 was first introduced.

The decision comes on foot of findings in a report commissioned by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which showed that firms in the retail, accommodation and food services sector were likely to be detrimentally impacted by an increase to 7 days paid sick leave particularly in light of rising labour, input and energy costs.

Workers are currently entitled to up to 5 days paid sick leave per calendar year, paid at 70% of their gross earnings, up to a daily cap of €110 and so employers should ensure that their sick leave policies remain up to date. Statutory sick leave had been due to increase to 10 days per calendar year from 2026, however, it is likely that the Government will keep any further increases under review.

For more information or assistance with queries relating to statutory sick leave, please contact Caoimhe Heery, Claire McDermott or any member of the Flynn O’Driscoll Employment Team.

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